Quinnen Williams Shares His Expectations for the Jets’ 2024 Season

Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is a star on a vaunted New York Jets defense that’s been one of the best units in the NFL over the last two years. The offense hasn’t been up to snuff during that stretch, though, in large part due to inconsistent quarterback play and deficiencies along the offensive line.

Williams is a firsthand witness to the improvements the Jets have made on the other side of the ball as they look to end a 13-year playoff drought this season.

New York signed left tackle Tyron Smith and reunited with right tackle Morgan Moses to better protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The four-time MVP was acquired in a trade in 2023, but he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear just four snaps into the season. Rodgers returns for another year with the Jets, flanked by a new pair of tackles and supported by a strong defense from top to bottom.

“It’s all about iron sharpens iron,” Williams told Athlon Sports. “You’ve got a bunch of great new guys… You’ve got weapons all over the field, so having to be on the other side of that has been an unbelievable experience.”

Williams, speaking on behalf of College Colors Day on Aug. 30 and representing his alma mater Alabama, said he ignores outside expectations, of which there are plenty.

“The biggest expectation that we have for ourselves is to get better every single day and win football games,” he said.

Williams did plenty of winning in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide went 27–2 and won a national championship in the two seasons he played. Before Williams was selected third overall in the 2019 draft, he played with several eventual NFL players, including Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

“You cheer for ’em when they are not on the field against you, but when they are on the field against you it’s all about competing, it’s all about game-time situations,” Williams said. “When you’re in college, everybody’s young, everybody’s kids. And we all share dreams of going to the NFL, so to get a chance to share your dreams with the guys you were with when you were 17, 18 years old, that's been unbelievable.”

Wins have been tougher to come by for Williams in the pros than in college. The last time the Jets finished above .500 was in 2015 when he was still in high school. Continued high-level play from Williams, along with the rest of the defense, and a healthy season out of Rodgers could put an end to years of losing in New York .

Williams earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2022, when he had a career-best 12 sacks. After signing a four-year, $96 million contract extension prior to last season, he made it to the Pro Bowl for a second straight season.  The 26-year-old doesn't concern himself with accolades, though. His personal goal is the same as the shared team goal of winning football games, and his next opportunity to do so will be in prime time on “Monday Night Football” on Sept. 9 against the San Francisco 49ers.

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